Koji Uehara | Relief Pitcher

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Koji Uehara acknowledged in Red Sox camp Monday that his arm bothered him at the end of the 2014 season.

Uehara surrendered 10 earned runs over his final nine appearances last year. "It was more physical," the right-hander told reporters in Florida. "I didn't talk about it at that time, but I think I'm over it." Boston felt comfortable enough to re-sign Uehara to a two-year, $18 million free agent contract in late October and the 39-year-old will open the 2015 campaign as the club's closer. Feb 16 - 2:27 PM

The Red Sox weren't expected to make Uehara a one-year, $15.3 million qualifying offer, but they didn't want him to hit the open market either. It's a fair compromise under the circumstances. Uehara faded down the stretch this season, but still ended up with 26 saves to go along with a 2.52 ERA and 80/8 K/BB ratio over 64 1/3 innings. He'll turn 40 next April and will enter the season as the Red Sox' closer. Thu, Oct 30, 2014 05:02:00 PM

Nick Cafardo of the Boston Globe reports that there "have been preliminary talks" between the Red Sox and Koji Uehara, but "the sides aren’t close to a deal."

The Red Sox would like to keep Uehara as their closer but are not expected to extend a qualifying offer of $15.3 million. Cafardo notes that a one-year deal that might include an option "would be preferable." Uehara lost his closer gig after struggling down the stretch but was terrific overall, posting a 2.52 ERA, 0.92 WHIP and 80/8 K/BB ratio over 64 1/3 innings. Sun, Oct 19, 2014 01:05:00 PM

According to Brian MacPherson of the Providence Journal, the Red Sox have not decided whether they'll tender a qualifying offer to free agent Koji Uehara.

The one-year qualifying offer for this winter's free agent crop is expected to be worth around $15.1 million. That's a hefty price for any reliever and Uehara stumbled down the stretch this season. He also turns 40 years old next April. Boston may be better off trying to negotiate a new deal with him on the open market. Mon, Sep 29, 2014 03:16:00 PM

Depth Charts

Mike Napoli (bimaxillary advancement) will hit in the batting cages on Friday.

Napoli underwent a bimaxillary advancement procedure over the offseason to address his sleep apnea and is finally ready to ramp up his hitting. The first baseman expects to be ready to go for Opening Day and should see his counting numbers return to their normal level after an injury-plagued 2014.